The Hierarch (Book 1)

Heresy

  In the wake of the recent victories against the zerg, Artanis was tasked with finding Tassadar and bringing him back to Aiur to face justice and grieved for the loss of Fenix. He found Tassadar (and his ) after barely rescuing them from a zerg attack led by . Artanis's first thoughts of Tassadar were negative, as he witnessed him wielding the powers of both the Khalai and Nerazim. And yet, he sensed no evil in Tassadar's thoughts. Artanis placed his trust in Tassadar. and agreed to help him rescue and his band of . Battling against the zerg and even forces, the Dark Templar were successfully rescued. They agreed to return to Aiur.  

Upon returning to , Artanis and company received welcome from Fenix, whose body had been recovered from Antioch and implanted inside a exoskeleton. The response of the Conclave however, was hostile, surrounding the landing zone with the and ordering them to stand down and surrender the Dark Templar for execution. Initially, Tassadar was willing to battle against the Vanguard of Aiur, Artanis following suit. However, unable to stomach his people slaughtering themselves in battle, Tassadar surrendered himself to the Conclave. Artanis protested against Tassadar's decision, but Tassadar stated that it was the only way to end the bloodshed, and give his followers a chance in the wider war. Thus, Tassadar was taken into custody.

Artanis and Fenix were left without Tassadar to guide them, and Zeratul and his Dark Templar had disappeared. However, with the aid of the in the , they were able to rescue Tassadar before he could be executed. In addition, Zeratul returned to the fold, sharing his knowledge of the zerg, of how they too were created by the , how they would run rampant throughout the stars if not stopped here and now. It was a task that Artanis was ready to take on.